Hawaii counseling license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for Hawaii counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does Hawaii require for counselors?

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MHC): Continuing education is not required to renew a MHC license in Hawaii. License expires every 3 years on 6/30.

• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): 45 hours every 3 years. License expires every 3 years.

• Professionals Licensed by the Hawaii Department of Health: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD):

  • CSAC, CPS, CCS, CCJP, CSAPA: 40 hours every 2 years.

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Counseling?

• Addiction Counselors: Yes. According to the "Exception" listed on the State of Hawaii Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) website, substance use related continuing education that is already approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) is considered approved by ADAD with the exception of courses less than 1 hour and Ethics courses. Continued is an approved sponsor of continuing education by the APA. Find courses offered for APA credit here.

• Marriage and Family Therapists: Yes. For professionals licensed through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Professional & Vocational Licensing Division - Marriage and Family Therapist Program, the board accepts courses by NBCC approved providers. Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Find courses offered for NBCC credit.

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Addiction Counselors:

• Duplicated course(s) (courses of the same title facilitated by the same facilitator and or distance learning site) taken during the initial certification and or current renewal period will not be accepted.

Marriage and Family Therapists:

• There is no limit to the amount of continuing education that can be completed online.
• 6 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics requirement.
• First-time licensees are exempt from CE requirements.

CSAC:

• For certification renewal, the course must be substance use specific or other modalities to support substance use professionals. Continued offers courses that may meet the substance use course requirement.
• 6 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued does not currently offer this course.

CPS:

• 6 hours of prevention ethics each renewal period. Continued does not currently offer this course.

CCS/CCJP/CSAPA:

• 6 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued does not currently offer this course.